A Chicago Tribune columnist published an opinion piece in which she suggested a storm of Hurricane Katrina-like proportions would be good for the Windy City so it could hit the reset button.

The Op-Ed, which was originally titled "In Chicago, wishing for a Hurricane Katrina," by Tribune Editorial Board member Kristen McQueary, garnered immediate backlash on social media. The headline was later rewritten to "Chicago, New Orleans, and rebirth."

McQueary explained that New Orleans residents "overthrew a corrupt government," City Hall became more efficient financially and the public school system got a complete makeover.

She goes on to explain the financial struggles Chicago faces and makes comparisons to a pre-Katrina New Orleans.

"That's why I find myself praying for a storm," McQueary wrote. "OK, a figurative storm, something that will prompt a rebirth in Chicago. I can relate, metaphorically, to the residents of New Orleans climbing onto their rooftops and begging for help and waving their arms and lurching toward rescue helicopters."

The backlash on social media was immediate.

The comments on Twitter scorned the columnist about her piece, calling it "offensive" and "cruel."

"As journalist/one of the primary citizens who overthrew corrupt government, no idea how offensive this piece is to us," wrote one Twitter user.

"In his conversation with the Chicago Tribune, Mayor Landrieu discussed the resilience of the people of New Orleans and the progress we have made in the city throughout the last 10 years. We have a responsibility to continue to rebuilding and to make sure that nobody is left behind. Hurricane Katrina was a tragic and devastating event for us and for the country—over one million people displaced, one million homes damaged, and over 1,800 lives lost. We would not wish for any city to experience this kind of devastation."